Football managers are a breed who tend to stick together when one of their own
is under particular pressure and, while Harry Redknapp tried hard on Tuesday
to offer support for Arsène Wenger, his words were also laced with a dose of
tough love.

Under fire: Arsène Wenger has been criticised for Arsenal's lack of trophies in recent years but Harry Redknapp feels the Arsenal manager's record stands upPhoto: REUTERS

Redknapp had tipped Arsenal to win both the Premier League and the Carling Cup at different stages of the season and there was no attempt to hide his shock at the way their season has unravelled.

Ahead of one of the most important north London derbies in recent history, Redknapp also said that Arsenal must beat Tottenham to maintain any hope of catching Manchester United in the race for the Premier League.

“Arsenal had Blackburn at home and then they threw away a great opportunity on Sunday,” said Redknapp. “If they took those extra four points they would have been in pole position.

“I fancied Arsenal strongly at one time. You’d have had your life on Arsenal beating Birmingham at Wembley. They’ve got to win all their games now.”

From Redknapp, there was also the pointed warning that, regardless of the young age of Wenger’s squad, it will only get more difficult for them to win trophies. “Next year will be harder than this year and this year was harder that the year before,” he said.

Tottenham were the first team this season to expose Arsenal’s frailties when they recovered from a two-goal deficit at the Emirates to win 3-2, and they could record their first league ‘double’ tonight over their closest rivals since 1993.

Redknapp, though, was careful not to associate himself with the theory that Arsenal have psychological flaws. “If I said, ‘you put them under pressure and they’ll crack’ they would pin it up in the dressing room. They’re a great team with a great manager.”

Redknapp also bristled at the thought that Wenger, the most successful manager in Arsenal’s history, should be subjected to increasing criticism from his own fans.

“How can they criticise him? He’s won enough trophies. His record stands up anywhere. They’ve had fantastic success and play great football. I’d be angry about it.”

Redknapp, though, could sympathise with the pressure that Wenger is facing and his increasingly animated touchline behaviour. He repeated his observation of last season that Wenger had now joined the managerial “nutters”.

“He used to be ‘The Professor’,” said Redknapp. “I read these articles from all these clever reporters who said he sat there like a chess master. That was the season they went unbeaten. We can all sit there with a cigar when you’re winning 3-0.

“Suddenly they started losing and he was one of the biggest nutters of all. He’s jumping around more than anyone now. What he must have gone through on Sunday mustn’t be good for your health.”

Wenger admitted that, after the traumatic nature of Sunday’s draw, this was among the biggest tests of character for his players since he became manager in 1996.

“Of course mentally it’s important to get over the disappointment,” he said. “When you play at Arsenal Football Club you need to have the mental dimension to deal with that. We will not stand at the back and wait for Spurs to play. We will try to play our game.”